Closing weekend gets wild at Grand Targhee

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

By Sam Petri

The rules are few and simple: Build a sled using only cardboard, tape, glue and string, and slide down the hill to glory. The lack of parameters breeds creativity.

Last Saturday, one day before Grand Targhee closed, freaks flocked mainly from Idaho Falls to compete in what is part race, part art show – the seventh annual Red Bull Cardboard Box Derby.  

At the base of the resort, the scene played out like a wholesome Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. No halter-tops or loud pipes, but plenty of party-people ready to throw down for the cause with really sweet custom rides.  

Team Dream Weaver of Idaho Falls – comprised of Andy Baumer, Shannon Flynn, Randy Holloway and Dennis Raunig – won on several levels with their lightning fast VW bus.

Not only did they bomb down the course like the pigs were hot on their tail, but the design of their rig was immaculate, complete with antiwar bumper stickers like “I’m already against the next war” and “1/20/2008 – the end of an error.” Their motto was “Never sell out to the Man,” this reporter couldn’t agree with them more.  

Speaking of The Man, Grand Targhee Ski School Instructors designed a sliding latrine and labeled it Ski Patrol Headquarters. The idea was meant as a comeback to an April Fools Day prank when Targhee Ski Patrollers allegedly infiltrated the Ski School Building, mismatched their skis and duct-taped them together, wrapped their building in netting, and put a closed sign on their door.

As the team slid down the course, they left a brown streak behind them in the snow, perhaps proving patrol’s penchant for PBR.  

Not all of the derby sleds were as defiant. Allan Hollifield, the manager of the Trap Bar, designed a baby grand piano in reference to the music that gets played at his establishment.

On the side of the piano he wrote the words, “Thank you Larry,” paying homage to General Manager Larry Williamson, who’s been at the helm since 1972, and is retiring this year.

The spirit of the entire event was tucked inside a cardboard pea pod containing Team Sweet Pea, four young girls from Idaho Falls.

Comprised of two sets of sisters, Krista and Kayla Stanley, 12 and 9, and Annika and Hanna Olson, 12 and 9, the team was the first down the course and the first to crash (almost everyone crashed – that’s part of the fun).

Sweet Pea cruised down the course at a good clip, looking like they were going to make it, but toppled just before the finish line after getting the speed wobbles. Annika Olson suffered an injury during the crash, jamming her thumb in a way that required attention.
“It was worth it,” she said, sporting a brace with an ice pack.

She’s right, because no matter how you or your team fared in the race, hanging out with your friends, sliding on spring snow, is what closing weekend is all about.


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Closing weekend gets wild at Grand Targhee | Planet JH News Article: Sports & Recreation

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